Variety reports that Warner Brothers had hoped Christopher Nolan, who along with directing the previous three Batman movies is also producing Superman reboot Man of Steel, would be creatively involved with their answer to Marvel's enormously successful The Avengers.

However, once Nolan expressed his wish to stay out of any potential Justice League movie, the studio apparently turned to Affleck, who had a surprise hit with 2010's The Town.

The 39-year-old actor and director is currently putting the finishing touches to Iranian hostage drama Argo, which will be released next month.